How do I install the Avianca flight mission in FSX: Steam Edition?

Avianca mission in FSX:SE – how to install it

In FSX (including Steam Edition) a “mission” is basically a .FLT/.FSSAVE plus a mission definition .XML (and sometimes custom sounds/objects). Where you install it depends entirely on what you actually downloaded.

Step 1 – what did you download?
If the Avianca “mission” came as:

• A single .FLT (and maybe .FSSAVE) = it’s really just a saved flight, not a true Mission.
• A folder containing an .XML plus other files = it’s a true Mission package.
• An .EXE installer = let it run, but you still may need to point it to the FSX:SE folder.

Step 2 – install based on the file type

A) If it’s a saved flight (.FLT/.FSSAVE)
1) Put the files here:

Documents\Flight Simulator X Files\

2) In FSX:SE go to:

• Free Flight
• Load...

…and load the Avianca flight from the list.

B) If it’s a real Mission (folder with .XML, etc.)
Most FSX missions go under the Missions folder in the FSX install path. On Steam Edition the default is usually something like:

...\Steam\steamapps\common\FSX\

Inside there you’ll typically see:

Missions\

General approach:
1) Unzip the mission download.
2) If it already has a “Missions” folder structure inside the zip, keep that structure (don’t mix and match).
3) Copy the mission folder into the appropriate subfolder under:

...\FSX\Missions\

4) Start FSX:SE and check:

• Missions (from the main menu)
• Look for a new category entry or a new mission in an existing category

C) If it’s an installer (.EXE)
1) Right-click the installer > Run as Administrator.
2) When it asks for the FSX path, make sure it’s pointing at your Steam FSX folder (not a boxed FSX folder if you ever had that installed).
3) After install, launch FSX:SE and look in Missions.

Common gotchas (FSX:SE)

• If you have both boxed FSX and FSX:SE installed, mission installers sometimes target the wrong one.
• Some older missions require “Acceleration” content. In Steam Edition that usually means you need the equivalent expansion content available/enabled; otherwise the mission may not show up or may error.
• If the mission uses extra scenery/SimObjects/sounds, those folders must also be copied to the correct FSX:SE locations (the readme normally tells you).

A couple quick questions so I can give you the exact folder path and structure

• What exactly is the “Avianca flight mission” you downloaded (name of the file and what’s inside: .zip, .flt, .xml, installer)?
• Do you have boxed FSX installed as well, or only FSX:SE?
• When you start FSX:SE, are you expecting to find it under Missions or under Free Flight > Load?